Los Angeles Galaxy: Week in Review

The 2011 MLS Cup champion Los Angeles Galaxy recently have turned around their season and have solidified their playoff position in the Western Conference. As the MLS plays through its summer schedule and hits the midway point of the season, The Daily Sports Herald takes a look at the Galaxy’s play of late.

Chivas USA v. LA Galaxy

The two teams and co-tenants of the Home Depot Center faced off on Saturday night with Western Conference positioning at stake and SuperClasico bragging rights on the line.

The Galaxy would strike first in the 14th minute when Juninho stole the ball from Chivas USA in the midfield and passed it to David Beckham. Beckham delivered a quality pass right through the teeth of the defense to Robbie Keane who scored past Chivas USA goalkeeper, Dan Kennedy.

As the second half began, Landon Donovan opened up the lead to 2-0 when Keane passed the ball through to Donovan and past a cheating Chivas USA defensive line. Donovan then was able to easily score past Kennedy.

Chivas USA would respond in the 52nd minute when former LA Galaxy player Paolo Cardozo got the ball at the top of the 18-yard box and fired a superb shot with no room for error past Josh Saunders to make the score 2-1.

Despite Chivas USA putting up a tough battle, the Galaxy would put the game away and secure 3 points with the win, as Donovan iced things in the 78th minute. The sequence started with Beckham delivering a corner-kick to David Junior Lopes, who headed the ball in front of goal to Donovan. Donovan booted it in, giving LA the 3-1 win.

Tottenham Hotspur v. LA Galaxy

Despite not having David Beckham and Landon Donovan for their friendly against Tottenham, the Galaxy had a good showing while giving their fans a chance to see one of the quality teams from the English Premiership.

Tottenham would score first in the 17th minute when Gareth Bale headed the ball into the upper corner of goal past a leaping Brian Perk giving Hotspur the 1-0 lead.

However, the Galaxy would not lay down for Tottenham, as they broke down the Hotspur defense in the 28th minute to tie the game 1-1. Marcelo Sarvas played an excellent pass over the top of the defense to the feet of Hector Jimenez. Jimenez made a leaping pass across the box to the feet of David Junior Lopes who also dived to get to the ball and score past the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The game would not produce any additional goals, but it was a great opportunity for the Galaxy's young players and those players trying to prove themselves to show their abilities to the coaches and fans. Also, for Robbie Keane, who played the first half, it was a chance to compete against his former team.

The Galaxy’s next friendly will be on Thursday, August 2nd, at the Home Depot Center when they face off against the La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid.

2012 MLS All-Star Game

On Wednesday night, the MLS All-Stars played Chelsea in Philadelphia for the 2012 MLS All-Star game, and the LA Galaxy was well-represented with Landon Donovan and David Beckham named to the starting 11.

Each would play an important role in the MLS All-Stars’ defeat of Chelsea.

For Donovan, it would mark his 12th straight All-Star game, an MLS record. Donovan made his mark on the game when he caused the Chelsea defense to collapse and then passed the ball out wide to Thierry Henry. Henry crossed the ball into the box and Chris Wondolowski scored on goal to give MLS the 1-0 lead.

Then in the 73rd minute, Beckham crossed the ball more than halfway up the field to the feet of Dwayne De Rosario. De Rosario held the ball up and passed it off to DC United teammate Chris Pontius who streaked into the area and scored past Chelsea for the 2-2 tie.

For Beckham, his respect amongst soccer fans grew even greater following this game given the fact that he traveled back from England (where he had Olympic duties) to Philadelphia just hours before kickoff, only to be back on a plane after the game to take part in opening ceremonies for his country.

The MLS All-Stars would get the win in the final minutes of the game on a goal from Eddie Johnson of the Seattle Sounders.

The win over European Champions Chelsea served as another indicator of the ongoing growth and improvement of soccer in America.

LA Galaxy v. FC Dallas

For the Galaxy, the road awaits on Saturday when they travel to Texas for a regular season game versus FC Dallas. LA will be without Landon Donovan (due to yellow card suspension) and probably without David Beckham (due to Olympic duty in England), but should be able to grab a positive result with its veterans leading the way and its younger players stepping up their play.

By Brian Kowalski
Staff Reporter for The Daily Sports Herald